Research Capacity and Culture of Podiatrists in Canada (Quebec) and France: A Parallel Cross‐Sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Research capacity and culture (RCC) are essential for high-quality care. However, RCC remains poorly documented among French-speaking podiatrists. This study aimed to assess RCC among podiatrists in Quebec, Canada, and France at the individual, team, and organizational levels, and to compare RCC scores between both groups. METHOD: A parallel, cross-sectional study was conducted targeting all licensed podiatrists practicing in Quebec, Canada (n = 304) and France (n = 14,208) in 2023. The data collection was carried online using a validated French version of the RCC tool items at the individual, team, and organizational levels using an 11-point scale ranging from 0 (no ability) to 10 (perfect ability). Mean RCC item scores (±SEM) were compared between Quebec and France respondents, with exploratory item-level analyses. Regression analyses were also used to determine associations between sociodemographic characteristics and overall RCC scores. RESULTS: A total of 2272 podiatrists initiated the survey (127 from Quebec and 2145 from France). Overall, mean individual RCC scores were low, but significantly higher in respondents from Quebec than those from France (3.32 vs. 2.75; p < 0.05). Team scores (2.29 vs. 1.82; p < 0.05) and organizational scores were also low overall, but significantly higher in respondents from Quebec than those from France (2.31 vs. 1.84; p < 0.05). Higher overall RCC scores were significantly associated with more dedicated research time, active research involvement, and research training; among Quebec podiatrists, practice outside private practice was also associated with higher RCC scores (all, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This is the first analysis of RCC among French-speaking podiatrists, and overall RCC levels were low. Higher RCC scores were associated with active research involvement, dedicated research time, research training, and, among Quebec podiatrists, practice outside private practice. These findings highlight potential targets for capacity-building initiatives to strengthen evidence-based podiatry in French-speaking contexts.